Join us at the-AFC.com for the first part of a series that highlights all the celebrations that took place across Asia!

 

The Altona East Phoenix Soccer Club (AESC) in Victoria provided the setting for Australia’s celebrations as 400 participants gathered for a vibrant day of football, community bonding, and recognition of inclusive practices.

A recipient of Football Australia's Club Changer 3 Star Status, the AESC’s festivities comprised a special training session and a community gathering at the clubhouse that united players, families, and volunteers in a shared passion for the sport.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) celebrated the AFC Grassroots Football Day 2025 at the Shams Ul Huda Football Academy in Jessore, drawing over 600 boys and girls aged between eight and 14 from the city of Khulna.

 

Attended by dignitaries such as the Argentine Ambassador to Bangladesh, Mr. Marcelo Carlos Cesa, and BFF President Mr. Tabith Awal, the celebrations included small-sided games, fun activities, and educational sessions, all designed to foster a love for football and promote teamwork and discipline.

 

Additionally, in a bid to reinforce the BFF’s commitment to inclusivity, children with disabilities were encouraged to attend and participate in the event. Making the day further memorable, the winners of the friendly matches were presented with national team jerseys, while all participants received certificates for participation.

The Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) observed the annual event with a nationwide series of events across five districts—Thimphu, Bumthang, Trashigang, Samtse, and Gelephu—that engaged almost 800 children and over 100 volunteers.

 

Across the districts, participants took part in technical drills, small-sided games, and other enjoyable activities while also being introduced to concepts of safeguarding.

 

In Thimphu, the BFF collaborated with Bhutan Premier League clubs to teach youngsters basic techniques, while the Gelephu City Women’s FC led activities in Gelephu, providing inspiration to young girls.

The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) commemorated the 2025 edition of the AFC Grassroots Football Day on June 15, with a focus on promoting inclusivity, child safeguarding, and community spirit.

 

Welcoming autistic children from SMARTER Brunei, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing support to families with children on the spectrum to experience the joy of the beautiful game, the event featured tailored activities with specific stations offering lessons in dribbling, passing, ball control, and shooting, thereby aligning with three UN SDGs – Good Health and Well-being, Gender Equality, and Reduced Inequalities.

 

Additionally, the event was made more memorable with national team legends such as Shahrazen Said, Sairol Sahari, and Wardun Yussof making appearances to lend their support and inspire the participants.

 

In Cambodia, the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) held nationwide celebrations to mark the AFC Grassroots Football Day and FIFA’s World Football Week on May 23.

 

Aimed at instilling a love for the game among young children, celebrations in the capital city of Phnom Penh saw the participation of almost 100 boys and girls, with an additional 920 children participating in 22 provinces.

 

Supported by organisations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of Cambodia, the initiative aimed to inspire greater participation in football among children, with a strong focus on gender equality, safety, and inclusivity.

Guam’s celebrations included a U8 Grassroots Festival and a Football 4 Schools Art Contest at the National Training Center in Macheche.

The activities involved nearly 200 youth athletes and coaches, and included a pre-event workshop where concepts such as kick-ins, self-passes, and build-up line adjustments were introduced to help players keep the ball in play for longer.

Meanwhile, the art contest themed “Be a Good Citizen” received 200 entries from nine schools, with the winners being awarded jerseys, footballs, and other exciting prizes.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited (HKFA) marked AFC Grassroots Football Day 2025 with a month-long celebration including participants from a wide age range—a key pillar in the spirit of the grassroots game.

Events such as the U10 Women District Game Day and the U12 Grassroots Festival brought together over 1,000 children, while two Elderly Grassroots Days engaged more than 1,500 senior participants.

The main highlight of the celebration was a series of friendly tournaments and games hosted at the HKFA Football Training Centre on May 25, which were attended by Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar, who participated in football drills and games with the young participants, creating unforgettable memories and inspiring them to continue pursuing the sport.

In Lampung, the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) hosted the AFC Grassroots Football Day 2025 celebration at the Baruna Ria Panjang Field, engaging 140 children and 21 coach educators.

 

The event was structured around safeguarding workshops, coach education practices, and a football festival that emphasised inclusivity, health, and environmental awareness.

 

Designed to promote teamwork, discipline, and leadership while also challenging gender stereotypes, the festival also saw children being introduced to Indonesia’s FILANESIA development model, under which they played small-sided games and interactive drills that reinforced the values of fair play and social responsibility.

 

Japan welcomed back the beloved Japan Football Association (JFA) Walking Football Day on May 10 at the JFA Yume Field, featuring close to 250 participants ranging from preschoolers to community elders.

 

The day-long festivities included three parallel programmes, namely, two variants of the Penguins Cup and the Walking Hiroba, an introductory clinic directed towards establishing a safe and inclusive football ecosystem for everyone, irrespective of age, gender, or abilities.

 

Among the many memorable highlights of the day was the participation of former Japan international Masayuki Okano, who thrilled spectators by displaying his skills while taking part in the walking football competition.